Tributes to journalist Aodhan O’Faolain who has died aged 50

Colleagues paid tribute to journalist Aodhan O’Faolain, best known for his coverage of some of the most important cases to be heard in the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court. 

Journalist Aodhan O’Faolain — best known for his coverage of some of the most important cases to be heard in the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court — has died after a short illness.

His reporting colleague and friend Ray Managh paid glowing tribute to Mr O'Faolain, who he described as an "outstanding person in his personal and his professional life".

Attorney General Rossa Fanning described the 50-year-old as "a scrupulously fair court journalist who documented the ebb and flow of Ireland’s economy from the journalist’s bench in the High Court’s chancery list".

Mr O'Faolain is survived by his wife Janet, parents Mícheál and Maura, and his brothers Eoin and Ronan.

Mr Managh said: "His tragic passing at the age of only 50 has left an unfillable void. 

"His untimely death creates also a significant loss to the strength and camaraderie of the press corps at the Four Courts of Justice on Inns Quay, Dublin.

"Aodhan was especially trusted and admired for his professionalism and work ethic, his ever-present chirpy smile, and his most casual of dress codes, a stand-out feature amid the austere garb of the judicial and legal eagles who deeply respected and admired him."

Many judges, barristers, solicitors, and court staff were among those who visited him in St Vincent’s through his illness and at his home, Mr Managh said.

"Integrity is defined as moral uprightness, honesty, wholeness and soundness, a single word that describes Aodhan O’Faolain as the outstanding person he was in his personal and professional life. 

"No other news reporter acknowledged better the importance and humanity of integrity in his caring court coverage of some of the saddest civil and criminal cases he had been called upon to cover."